Trigger ↬ [ P.JS ]

Chapter 29:

"I swear to god, Donghyuck Lee. If I die today, tonight, whatever, it'll be your fault." Jaemin screeched as he felt the plane glide above the land.

Donghyuck was sitting in the cockpit, not really nervous for someone who has nine lives hanging onto his responsibility. "I think I've practiced this enough, Jaemin." he foolishly grinned at his words. He didn't know that years of forced practice would come in handy.

"Make sure of that, Mister!" Hwayoung's voice ascended from the first quarter of the cabin, all the way to the flight deck. "I still wanna see my dad!" she continued to shout, her feet wiggling in the chair she's a little too short for.

Donghyuck suddenly felt serious. They still want to see their own parents. He cleared his throat and focused on operating the small plane, almost a private jet, they were in.

Jaemin was still unsure on why Jisung recommend this idea. He thought that it was better to just die and be infected rather than be in a dumb plane crash. He shook his head and attempted to be positive. No no no. I trust him. He'll get us to the destination. Though those words hardly convinced him, there's still a gut feeling that somehow, in someway, they messed up.

Jeno noticed his best friend having a hard time so he gently place Hayoon on the other's arms, knowing that Jaemin is a fond of kids. He rarely got to hold the baby boy since they were always at the run, but Jeno thought that this more than half a day flight will give him enough time to do so.

Jaemin was startled by the sudden pass but he subtly smiled when he felt Hayoon's warm body pressed into his own arms. He had almost completely forgotten about the dangerous flight they were in, but he was quickly reminded of that when the plane shakes violently.

"Hey, Donghyuck! What the hell, man?" Chenle groaned as he was woken up from his nap. He leaned back again to the seat and huffed, thinking of how he can scold him later.

Even so, the shake only lasted for a few seconds. Donghyuck was just trying to get a drink. This revelation made all of them groan from frustration, thinking that it was originally a serious matter.

Astrid sighed in distaste when the chatter subdued. She thought she was going to get her much needed rest, and that she'll nap for the whole time on the plane ride, but it seems like the plan will be soon destroyed by the chaotic people she's currently with. She folded her legs up to her chest, resting her forehead in her knees.

"Hey, can you go help Hwayoung in the restroom?"

She didn't budge, not really knowing if the person was directing the words towards her.

"Astrid."

She quickly raised her head up and looked at Rina hinting to Hwayoung. Groaning slightly, she murmured a few incoherent words, most likely a string of curses, but she held Hwayoung's hands and led her to the restroom anyways.

Still not in the right state of mind, she waited for the little girl to finish, asking momentarily if she needed help. When she had heard 'no', she just told her to hurry up.

Hwayoung went out, a flush stirring behind her. She smiled at Astrid and stole a glance behind the older girl. "Astrid-"

"Are you finished? Let's go back to the others. You said you were just gonna pee but then you took, like, 30 minutes." the said girl grumbled, gently pulling the kid with her. She walked to the center aisle, not really minding what everybody's doing at the moment.

Hwayoung forgot what she was initially going to say, so she just followed her silently, wanting to get her own proper rest as well.

When they arrived at their chosen seats, Astrid went back to her original position and hummed in satisfaction. She stretched her arms below her folded feet before stringing back and fully relaxing.

"Hey, Astrid?"

"Hm..?"

"Can I sit beside you?"

She turned her head to the side, mumbling a 'sure'. She patted the seat beside her and smiled. "Come," she invited, drowsiness dulling out now.

Hwayoung smiled and lifted herself up to sit beside Astrid. She hoisted her knees in the chair, raising her body with power while pushing herself with just enough force to get on top of the cushiony surface. Once she was able to succeed, she sighed contently and rested her head on Astrid's arms- a habit she picked up recently.

"Am I really going to see mom? To be honest I think that's what all I want for my birthday.. my mom.." she stared into nothing, specifically speaking, while her head ran up with various possibilities that can happen before they can get to safety.

Astrid looked at Hwayoung's head, she has nothing to left to say. She isn't even sure if they can really get to South Korea safe with Donghyuck operating the aircraft. She shifted in her seat and thought for a while. "If I make a promise, that you'll see your mother and father before your birthday, can you do me a favor then?" she raised her brows when she saw Hwayoung looking up to her.

"What's that?"

"Stay safe and don't forget me.... ever." Astrid lifted up her pinky and waited for the kid's response.

Hwayoung didn't hesitate to interlock their fingers before giggling slightly. "I don't like broken promises, Astrid," she teased, poking the older's cheeks. "You better stick to your words~" she laughed once more.

Astrid just nodded, happy to see the girl get excited over the thought of meeting her parents. Honestly, she didn't know what to do after she'll hand Hwayoung to Haneul, but she thought before to help the boys find their parents and hers.

She didn't know when she fell asleep but she frantically woke up, hearing screams of her friends surrounding her. She immediately looked for Hwayoung who is now isn't by her side.

The plane was now in chaos, her friends are hovering over one area, what she thought was a restroom, and horridly screaming like maniacs.

Astrid didn't know what to think but her body reacted to it as danger. She flew up her seat and scanned the area intently. Once she saw Hwayoung held tightly by Jisung, she sighed in relief but that didn't calm her panicking heart in the slightest. She wanted to find out what they're so concerned about, so she slowly walked over to the group, tiptoeing to view the worry.

She, due to the very chaotic people, was pushed behind and she almost bumped into a sharp part of a metal, she didn't know why it was there anyways.

Giving up she walked back and just observed. Fortunately for her, Jaemin noticed Astrid and he followed her actions. She was about to ask what's the mess all about but Jaemin beat her to it. When she heard the words that left Jaemin's mouth, her curiosity wasn't answered and more questions filled her mind.

"We messed up."